The following column appeared in a number of ECM/Sun Current newspapers in Feb-March, 2018

Youngsters and adults can reduce gun violence

Feb 26, 2018

History tells us that young people trying to make America safer via better gun policies can make a difference. That’s if, and it’s a big if, they learn from past efforts to change America. Whether parents, grandparents or educators, adults can help youngsters understand what has and hasn’t worked to make America better.

Young Minnesotans are joining others to urge changes in gun policies. As I write this column, a website lists efforts by students in Apple Valley, Chaska, Eden Prairie, Minneapolis, Minnetonka, Osseo, St. Paul and Wayzata. Info is found here: http://bit.ly/2DKVi2L.

I can’t independently verify this. But clearly some youngsters are making plans.

I’m not advocating here for a specific local, state or national policy. That’s beyond my expertise, although I strongly believe changes are needed.

But I think adults should help young people understand past efforts to, for example, increase civil rights and end the war in Vietnam. Educators should help their students decide what to do without telling them what to do.

Many years ago, activist Peter Marin wrote about the “open truth and fiery vehemence of youth.” Marin skillfully described the complexity of issues such as gun violence and the passion that many young people feel.

Here are four lessons to consider.

First, persistence is vital. Very few changes are made in a day, week or month. That is not meant to discourage youngsters. It is meant to help them understand in a democracy, change almost never happens quickly.

Second, there are not just two “sides” in this, and many other controversies. Pulitzer Prize winner David Halberstam wrote a wonderful book about young civil rights activists, “The Children.” Halberstam makes clear that teenagers made a huge difference in the civil rights era. He documents that leaders and followers sometimes intensely disagreed about strategies and goals. Some favored demonstrations, while others promoted lawsuits, voter registration or “bus rides.” Some wanted to stress voting rights, while others focused on school integration or housing. There was no single “truth” about what the country should do or what strategies should be used.

That leads to a third lesson: It’s wise to study the issue and listen to different viewpoints. Research on gun control is not always definitive.

This is not a defense of the status quo. However, studying what has and has not worked in this and other countries makes a person more informed and potentially more effective.

Fourth, coalitions can be helpful. I’m encouraged that some gun owners are speaking out publicly, saying that more must be done. Over decades of social change in America, we’ve learned that bringing together people who don’t always agree increases the likelihood that we’ll see progress.

Young people also have plenty to teach older people like me. For example, I’m in awe of how some are using social media to organize and share information. And the passion that many youngsters bring to this effort is heartening. They are being heard.

As I write this column President Donald Trump is being quoted by various news sources as saying: “We cannot merely take actions that make us feel like we are making a difference. We must actually make a difference.” I didn’t vote for President Trump and question many of his actions. But this statement suggests he is feeling pressure. That’s good.

Educators call our current situation a “teachable moment.” Millions of young people are upset about school shootings and want to “do something.” Adults can help youngsters do something that makes this a safer country. — Joe Nathan(Editor’s note: Nathan, formerly a Minnesota public school teacher, administrator and PTA president, directs the Center for School Change. Reactions welcome, joe@centerforschoolchange.org or @JoeNathan9249.)

4 Comments

Tammie KnickFebruary 27, 2018 @ 6:53 am

As always, a great article Joe. I met with several community members of all ages today to talk about organizing two different events in Willmar. The first one being a walk out on March 14th and the second being a peaceful protest on March 24th. Both of these events are being student led .

Joe, I read with interest your article. I agree with most if not all of it. I think that this generation could learn from some of us who have gone through similar issues before.
I would like to add a couple of suggestions to yours.
In my opinion it is vitally important to be as specific as possible regarding what you are trying to do. For example, ‘we want more gun control’, my response would be okay what does this mean – do you want all guns surrendered – even by law abiding gun owners? Do you want just certain models of guns with more control, do you want more strict control on who is able to purchase a gun, etc. It is important to be specific regarding what you are legislating for.
Obviously there are restrictions and laws regarding many aspects such as Constitutional Rights, HIPPA laws to consider if you target mental capacities, etc. I would offer that this does not mean that changes cannot be made however it is important to be specific and know the hurdles which must be overcome. The old saying “you can’t boil the ocean” suggests the importance of being specific and try to make changes to those issues which will have the most sought after affect and which are most doable. You can then move on to more issues.
I believe that social media is a ‘double edged sword’. Some of it is good and accurate, some is misleading and some is downright lying. In my opinion the main stream media MSM also shares some of these traits.
As an example: I read a post on social media that had a picture of an AR-15 rifle (not an assault rifle), it said 96 people are killed daily by guns in the U.S. I thought that this was a high number and researched further. Surprisingly for me, I found out that this number is pretty accurate (96 daily gun deaths). What the post did not mention was – of the 96, there were 34 homicide deaths (don’t know which cities or if gangs were involved), 57 deaths were suicides and the rest were intentional (law enforcement) or accidental. My point is that sometimes the only way to really know the whole story is by individual research.
Another point which you made and which I agree with is that any change of this magnitude will take time. People should realize that just walking out of school and marching for a day will not get the job done. It certainly will be broadcast on all MSM but an ongoing persistence (months if not years) will be necessary to effect meaningful change. Students should be willing to commit to this – it isn’t going to be fixed in a day.
These are just my opinions, I applaud you for attempting to bring good intentions and reality together.
Regards
Skip Abel
Elk River, MN

Joe….this is a terrific manifesto! You’ve provided many, creative suggestions that can become inertia-breakers, and help us find some solutions.

You are a fine writer and your words must be your own, of course, but we don’t want to miss an opportunity to work more closely with those whose positions have differed from our own. It’s chutzpah on my part to make a suggestion, but being a few years older as well as an old friend, what the heck, I’ll take the risk.

My only suggestion is that your closing sentence in the second to the last paragraph could have provided an opportunity to build a coalition. I’m as appalled as anyone over many of the president’s crude tweets and guffaws, but I do think it’s more productive to emphasize the positives that each of us brings. The third to the last sentence provides more polarity when less is needed. The second to the last sentence could be more affirmative by saying something like: “His statement suggests we can work together to find ways to cross boundaries and collaborate on solutions.”

This is an extremely wise and helpful article, from a man who’s a veteran of many a campaign for needed changes. I’d particularly like to second the idea of deliberately seeking out those who think differently than you do. It may go against our current hyper-partisan climate–which is just the point. We’ll only get broad support by talking (and, more importantly, listening) to each other. Thank you, Joe, for a thoughtful and pragmatic article. Your voice needs to be heard!